I put cd rom into drive now computer won't load up?

Question

I put the setup CD to a new Linksys router into my CD Rom drive, and it immediately began to make a whirring noise. I got a little worried, so I right clicked the drive from My Computer with the intention of ejecting. It just got stuck on the hourglass symbol (this is Windows XP) and asked if I wanted to end the non-responsive program. I said yes, and logged off through ctrl+alt+del since the windows bar at the bottom disappeared. Now when I start up the computer, the drive begins to whirr (cd still inside of it because I can't open it manually either) and it will not go past a black screen with a white, flashing underscore at the upper right hand side of the screen. I'm now on my laptop. What should I do? :(

Answer 1

It may be trying to boot from the CD, but can't get far because it can't even read the CD (whirring noise).



All CD drives have a hidden unlocking mechanism. Look for a tiny hole somewhere on the face of the drive. Unfold a paper clip, and stick it as far into the hole as it will go. You might need to press a bit hard to engage the mechanism. So long as you straighten the paper clip, you won't damage anything inside.



Add: Push *harder*. It should feel kind of like opening your car door.

Answer 2

When you say manually, do you mean you mean the pin hole at the front of the drive? Most disc drives have a small pin hole at the front which will manually eject the disc if you insert something like a thick paper clip or a sturdy needle and push. If that doesn't work, it may be very difficult to get the disc out.



The computer might not be booting up because the motherboard is attempting to hunt for an operating system on the disc drive but the drive isn't working properly so it's not even making it far enough to tell you that it can't find an operating system on the disc.



To troubleshoot the drive unplug the computer tower, hit the power button with the power off to dischrage any stored energy in the motherboard, use a non magnetic screwdriver to remove screws from the side panel of the computer and open it up, carefully disconnect the cables going to the disc drive. Make sure not to touch anything else as many computer components are vulnerable to static shocks from your body. Plug the tower back in and hit the power button to start it. If it starts up fine then you know something is wrong with your drive. At this point you can try to remove the disc drive from the computer and get it open, or replace it. Follow the previous steps to safely install the new drive(or old one) without damaging the system.

Answer 3

The same thing happens to me sometimes when I leave my iPod connected to my computer and I turn it off and try to turn it back on. If you turn off the PC take out the disk and turn it back on it should boot up normally... but seeing as you cannot get the CD out manually I don't really know what you should do. Pulling the CD drive open may damage it. You could pay to have some geek squad guy do it for you, he would likely be able to do it without harming your computer, but it will cost you some money.... or your could try pulling on the CD drive.

Answer 4

if it's a tray loading type ,there is a small hole in the front of it . straighten out a paper clip or a long sewing needle and push it in and the tray will open . you will feel some resistance but it should work. if it's a slot loading one . there is a release just to the right and inside edge of the slot .